Sectional metal concrete column form



My 6, 1952 l.. M. oTTE ETAL 2,595,286

IONAL NOV. 50' 1948 LowellMoe 3%( chkantnerica May 5, 1952 L.. M. oTTE ErAL 2,595,286

SECTIONAL METAL CONCRETE COLUMN FORM Filed Nov. 30, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 /9 4r a4 a/ e @a n 43 M f @6 3f INVENTORS May 6, 1952 l.. M. oTTE ErAL sEcTloNAL METAL CONCRETE COLUMN FORM Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 30, 1948 INVENTORJS Lowell/Me M BYJonaknMerica Patented May 6, 1952 SECTIQNAL METAL CONCRETE 4,COLUMN FORM Lowell M. .Otte Iand J ona'thamR. Meriva., Omaha, Nebr.

Application November 30, 19.48 :Serial `No.,B2,648

rIhe present invention relates -to ithe `construetion of va new and improved quick setting concrete column form lor the like.

An important object is `to Aprovide a simple, efficient and durable concrete column `-form or mold made up of intertting adjustable metal sections or panels connected by suitable releasable means and capable of beingquickl-y assembled or dismantled. The metal sections or members which constitute ythe complete-column `form, while preferably of the same horizontal width, are of two diierent -vertical lengths so as-toconstitute sections of standard-or large isize and small sections having half the'vertical'length of the large or standard size'. The column form is erected by using 'a pairo Yopposite Ystarting forms of small sections between which are A'connected spaced standard size "sections so thatithe additional sections addedto the 'startingsectiom are staggeredin order thatfthe alternate-adjacent sides interlock at the center of each standard size section. When the column f orm is vcompleted, the large and small sections are iirmly and securely held in place .by retaining means vto form a unitary or integral structure whichmay be lifted, shifted or moved about without the necessity of dismantling .the sections. The sections are adjustably connected yby means which conveniently permits the size ofthe vform .or mold to be varied so that the Aconcrete .columns of different quadrangular sizes and shapes may :be erected by the selective adjustmentof the large and small sections with eachother and without requiring the use of additionalgsections orparts. Moreover, as the sections .are held together by means inserted in the form itself, the fuse ,of clamps or other parts .is .dispensed'withso that the completed form requires-a minimum number of parts, and maybe .constructed.and.as sembled at a low cost. The `detachable Vconnection of the sections with each other also provides means which, when the formfis-set tup and before the concrete ispoured in, allows "the inside of the form to be cleaned-outlay removing one of the lower sections'of 'the form. Additionally, since the large Yand lsmall sections constituting the form or 'mold are rigidly and iirmly connected when the form is set =up,the

concrete or plastic mixture may be lvibrated while in the form so that in the event the concrete is not suiciently agitated ,cris dry when initially introduced into the form, it may vbe agitated in the `form ,so astobe .thoroughlytmixed and additional moisture may be added without sume I Figure l a .perspective view `of the metal concrete .col-umn `form lin its assembled .position and withparts removed'for the purpose ofeclearness of illustration.

'Figure 1231s a y.frontelevational .view .of oneside of vthe yassembled form.

Figure -3 is .a fragmentary perspective :view :of the form with sections removed.

.Figure .4 is .a-.plan `View of theassembledA colunm form,and shows indotted'lines .how it is adjustyable'ito lbe varied in vsize and shape.

yFigure 5 is :a :sectional View taken .substantiallyfalong fthe line .5-15 fof Figure .4, :and

F=igure6 Lisrasectional v.View :taken substantially along ,the line 56-'6 oflFigure Q4.

. Referringfto 4the.drawings .in .which like numerals "indicate .like parts 5in fthe .several views, ;I` 0 designates the ithe .assembled sectional zmetal column form .or mold ,shaped '.to .provide a space for 'receiving .concrete .orother .suitable .plastic t material to form a concrete .column or pier fof any :desired .size and shape. 'The form 1.0 includes -.standardmr large size tsections or members .il l tFig. 232) and .smalLsize sections i12. xEach section .is :made of 4.sheet metal, such .assteeL Lto provide A.a .strong .and `:durable .structure .capable of `:withstanding the yuses :ito :which .a device of this .character is .normally :.subjected, and has afsmoo'th inner :face .I3 preferably :formed @with opposed .side .lvertical iiianges Ill 4'(lig. L3.) Ythat .extend laterally .from Lthe fouter vrace [15. "The smoothinner 'tace `lf3 fcit-each section or :member vmayloelcrimpedLorformed at oneend thereof 'tot-provide a Lcham-fered surface or cor-ner spor-tion IB to prevent `fori-nation of straight -cornersonthe kconcrete fool-umn lerected -by ythe Amold. "The corner wedges of the vsections 'I'I -and -I2 vmay be straight and disposed at 'right ang-les to each other.

VThe standard lor large lsize sections -I^I each preferably has "a vertical 'length vof thirty-two inches and va 'longitudinal AAwidth of -itwenty-six inches. Each yofthe-small sections -orfmembers 112 is ofthe rsame'longitudinal width 1as the large .sections I l but has "a 'vertical YVlength 'ofsixteen vinches or Vless "and `about half 'of the length 'of the large sections II. It will, of course, be manifest that the size and dimensions of the large and small sections may be varied and the sections formed of light or heavy steel, as the particular operating conditions or use may require. To the outer face I of each of the small sections I2 (Fig. 3), between the vertical side flanges I4, is connected adjacent the top of the section, a transverse channel member I1 in any suitable manner such as by spot welding as at I8 (Fig. 1) so as to provide spaced outwardly extending flanges I9 and 20 which extend outwardly and laterally from the web 2l of channel member Il'. The flange I9 is preferably wider than the fiange and the upper flange I9 is provided with transverse spaced rows of openings 22 and 23 (Fig. 3), while the inner flange 20 has a transverse row of openings 24 which register with the row 22. To the bottom or lower edge or" each of the small sections or panels I2 is similarly connected a transverse channel member 25 such as by spot welding as at 25 (Fig. 1) and which is formed with an outer fiange 21 of greater width than its inner flange 28. It will be seen that the edge of the channel member 25 is in transverse alignment with the lower edge of the small section I2, and that the upper channel member I1 is similar in alignment with the adjacent upper edge of this section. The outer wide ange 21 has spaced transverse rows of openings 29, while the inner flange 28 has a single row of transverse openings 30. The section I2 may be reinforced by vertically spaced channel members or straps 3l spot welded as at 32 to the outer face- I5 and between the spaced inner flanges 20 and 28 of the channel members I1 and 21 (Fig. 2). Extending inwardly from one of the vertical sides I4 of the section I2 and terminating short of its opposite side and adjacent the lower and upper edges thereof, are rows of spaced transverse slots 33 and 34 which extend through the webs of the adjacent channel members I1 and 21, respectively. Extending outwardly from the opposite vertical side of the small section I2 are vertically spaced lugs 35 which may be welded to the walls of the slots 38 as at 31 (Fig. 3). The spaced lugs 35 have vertically aligned openings 38 for receiving releasable locking means 51, subsequently to be described.

Each of the standard or large sections II is similarly formed with a lower channel member 39 (Fig. 1) which is welded as at 40 to its outer face I5, andv has an outer flange 4I and an inner flange 42 extending transversely thereof. The flange 4I has spaced transverse rows of openings 43, while the inner flange 4I has a single transverse row of openings 44. An upper channel member 45 is connected by spot welding adjacent the upper edge of the large section II and is likewise formed with an outer flange 45 and a narrow flange 41. The flange 46 has spaced transverse rows of vertical openings 48 and the inner flange 41 has a single transverse row of openings 49. Each of the large sections II has extending inwardly from one of its vertical sides and adjacent the bottom and top thereof, transverse lower and upper rows of slots 50 and 5I which extend through the webs of the adjacent channel members 39 and 45. The opposite vertical side of each'of the large sections II has extending therefrom adjacent its top and bottom edges, spaced end lugs 52 which have aligned openings 53, and are arranged to extend through any one of the slots in the adjacent short or 4 long sections when these sections are superposed one on the other in order to build up or erect the form for receiving the concrete.

Additionally, each of the large sections Il, intermediate its vertical length, is provided with spaced transverse rows of slots -54 which extend inwardly from one side thereof and correspond in number to the slots 59 and 5I, and are arranged in vertical registration with these slots. The opposite side of the large section II is provided with a pair of spaced lugs 55 in transverse alignment with the slots 54; the lugs have vertical openings 55 which register with the openings in the lugs 52. The outwardly extending perforated lugs 35, 52 and 55 in the large and small sections are of such a length as to extend through the slots in adjacent sections to receivey any suitable retaining means such as the bolts or pins 51 for releasably connecting the sections together in assembling the form. To the front face of each of the large sections or panel members II and adjacent the center thereof are suitably connected by welding or the like, a pair of transverse abutting channel members 58 and 59 (Fig. 6) similar in construction to the channel members previously described. The channel members 53 and 59 are formed with inner transverse abutting flanges 60 and outer spaced flanges 5I of vless width than the inner flanges. The fianges 60 have a double row of spaced vertical openings 62 and the flanges 6I have a single row of openings E3. Each of the channel members 58 and 59 has a transverse row of spaced slots 64 in the web thereof vertically spaced to register with one.of the row slots 54 so as to receive the lugs in adjacent large or small sections when erecting the form. Vertically spaced reinforcing channel straps B5 are positioned between the flanges 5I and the flanges 42 and 41 of the channel members 39 and 45, and are welded as at 56 thereto and to the outer face I5.

In setting up or erecting the sectional mold to form a space in which the concrete or other plastic material is introduced to form a column, post, or pier of the desired quadrangular shape, two opposed small sections I2 are used as starting forms (Fig. 3) and are positioned at the point where the column is to be erected. Between the spaced sections I2 are then positioned the'large spaced sections I I which may be connected to the small sections in the following manner: One oi' the large sections, such as the rear section II shown in Figure 3, may first be secured to the left-hand small section I2 by inserting the adjacent lugs 52 and 55 through the selected spaced slots 33 and 34 in the section I2. The intertting sections are then locked or releasably connected by inserting the retaining bolts 51 through the openings in the aligned lugs and fianges `so as to firmly maintain the parts in a fixed position. The right-hand small section I2, shown in Figure 3, may then be connected through its spaced lugs 35 extending through selected slots 59 and 54, in accordance with the particular size of the concrete column to be formed. The front standard section il (Fig. 1) may then be connected to the right-hand small standard I2 by inserting the lower end lug 52 of the large section Il through the selected lower slot 33 in the small section I2 and the lugs 35 on the front of the left-hand section I2 through the selected lower slot 50 and the intermediate slot 54 of the front large section II, so that the quadrangular space thus formed will be of the desired size as the concrete A such as 2l and 4S of the channel members.

essere@ form to be erected. Then large and small sections are selectively oraltern'ately superposed one on the other and I"connected together in a similar manner until the desired height Tof the VVconcrete column to be formed is reached. It will be observed that the intermediate slots 5d and 64 in the large section Il and channel members `58 and 59 may receive the lugs -ofl either Ya large lsection or a small'section, and that the intermediate lugs llt within selected aligned slots in either the large or small section of the form, i norder to insure an interlocking connection of alternate sides of the section, Y

ln ebi'iil'difng up the -largeand jsmall sec-tions, to form the Ymol-d, it will be Anoted -that the lower wide flange of one channel member rests against the Lipper wide flange of an adjacent channel member to provide a rm supporting base. In order to assist in maintaining the sections in a iixed position, dowel pins E1 may be inserted through registering openings in abutting flanges It Will be seen that the use of clamps and other parts are dispensed with, and the sections' of the forms are firmly and securely held in a iixed position by the pins 51 and 67, and that the lugs 52, 53, 55 and 56 are arranged selectively to register with complementary slots 5i?, 5! and 54 in adjoining or alternate sections so that the form is readily adjustable to make different size concrete columns without the necessity of using different size parts to erect different size column forms,

thus materially reducing labor, cost and time in erecting the concrete form.

It will be noted that the large and small sections, as they are built up to erect the form, are staggered so that the joints 68 (Fig. 3) in the alternate or adjacent sides always interlock at the center of each large section. In other words, since the vertical length of the large sections is thirty-two inches and as the vertical length of the small sections is half this length, it will be seen that the joints 68 are broken every sixteen inches on alternate sides of the form, with the result that the form when assembled constitutes a rigid and rm unitary structure which may be lifted, or bodily moved without requiring the dismantling of any of the sections. This feature is particularly desirable 'since it allows vibration of the assembled form in the event that the concrete poured into the form has not been sulficiently agitated in the mixing process, or when the concrete lacks the normal amount of moisture. By reason of, this unitary structure the assembled form may be vibrated to agitate the mixed concrete or water may be added to further dampen the dry concrete introduced into the form, without danger of displacing or distorting the form from its original or correct shape. A further advantage of constructing the metal concrete form of alternately disposed large and small sections when starting the erection of the form is that after the form has been set up and before the concrete is poured in, it not infrequently is necessary to clean out the space within the form. This can easily be done by removing one of the lower sections and without disturbing'the other sections.

It will be seen from Figure 4 that the form may be readily adjusted by selectively connecting adjacent sections to each other through the inserting of the lugs on each section through slots in adjacent or alternate sections, so that the size and shape of the concrete column to be formed may be readily changed at a minimum expenditure of time and effort. In 4this -gur'e the form i's shown in full Ylines to erect fa large size concrete column, while -i'n `dotted lines the sections are interconnected to construct a concrete form fof smaller dimensions. The inclined or chan-ifered members i6 are preferably used so as to provide anev'en n'ish to the concrete form and eliminate `'straight edges which are objectiohal incertain constructions as they be readily chipped and thus mar Ythe streng-th land appearance of the concrete column.

It will be seen that the metal sectional form composedwof small and large sections may 'be economically 'installed and comprises a minimum number lof parts and eliminates the use of separate clamps, tie rods and the like, which not only increase the cost of construction but which becom'e lost or broken and have to be constantly replaced. Moreover, by reason of the adjustable connection of the sections to each other, concrete columns of any desired size and height may be constructed at a minimum expenditure of time and labor, and the large and small sections, after the form is initially started, may be built up eitherby alternate large and small sections or any other selected arrangement of the sections, so that a section will overlap each of the joints to impart desired rigidity to the assembled form.

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention shown and described are merely illustrative of preferred embodiments and that such changes may be made as come within the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. A metal concrete column form including interfitting and adjustably connected large and small sections, said small sections being of the same horizontal width as the large sections and not more than half of the vertical length of the large sections, each of said sections having a smooth inner face and provided with opposed vertical side ilanges extending laterally from the outer face thereof, transverse channel members connected to the outer face of each section between the side flanges and adjacent the top and bottom thereof, each of said channel members having a wide outer flange and a narrow inner ange, each of said large sections intermediate its vertical length having a pair of transverse channel members connected to its outer face and provided with abutting horizontal wide flanges and spaced outer narrow flanges, the wide anges of said channel members having inner and outer transverse rows of vertical openings and the narrow flanges of said channel members having a single row of transverse vertical openings, said sections and said channel members having spaced transverse slots extending inwardly from one side of each section, the opposite side of each section having spaced vertically aligned lugs extending outwardly therefrom and arranged to extend through slots in adjacent sections when the form is set up, said lugs having vertical holes therein, and retaining means extending through said holes and the holes in said flanges for connecting the sections together, and retaining pins extending through holes in abutting flanges of the sections for maintaining the same in a iixed position, the sections being constructed and arranged so that the form is erected by initially positioning between spaced opposed small sections, large opposed sections so that as the sections are superposed one on the other with their joints staggered, the alternate sides of the sections being interlocked at the center of each large section by the lugs extending through aligned slots in adjacent sections to provide a rigid and firm unitary structure.

2. A metal concrete column form as called for in claim 1 in which each section has at one inner 5 corner thereof vertically disposed means for providing when the sections are assembled, the c01- umn with chamfered corners, said sections being separately removable when the retaining means and pins are Withdrawn so that any section can be taken out Without disturbing the other sections to facilitate the cleaning of the column form.

LOWELL M. O'ITE. JONATHAN R MERICA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,331,096 Eaches Feb. 1'7, 1920 1,457,090 ,Sellman May 29, 1923 10 1,579,822 Knickerbocker Apr. 6, 1926 FOREIGN I'ATENTS Number Country Date 793.165 France Jan. 18, 1936 556,806 Great Britain Oct. 22, 1943 

